Identifying health inequities is an essential part of public health work. There are many factors that shape our health, including healthy public policy and the social determinants of health.
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH)'s goal is to be a leader in protecting and promoting health for everyone. With partners and community members, we seek to reduce health and social inequities to make measurable improvements in population health.
Income and health
Income and finances play the biggest role in having a long and healthy life. How much money we have affects our ability to access healthy neighbourhoods, safe and healthy homes, green spaces and parks. Income has been shown to predict several health outcomes, such as life expectancy, infant mortality, asthma, heart conditions, obesity, and many others.
In 2015, 12.4% of people living in the SWPH region had a low income based on the low-income measure after-tax1.
Belonging and health
Having a sense of community or belonging means we feel like we matter to one another and to a larger group2. Belonging leads to higher levels of mental health, quality sleep, and exercise and lower levels of cigarette smoking. People can experience negative long-term health and wellbeing effects when they have a low sense of belonging3.
For example, people who are isolated are 50% more likely to die early than those who have strong social connections4. This is about the same impact as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
The benefits of belonging extend past individuals to the community as well. People who feel they belong are more likely to participate in their community. They are more likely to donate their time and money to improve the community and to show caring for others5.
Education and health
Education is linked to better health outcomes such as:
- Higher life expectancy
- Lower risk of obesity
- Fewer illnesses
In 2016, about one in seven people in the Southwestern Public Health region did not have a certificate, diploma, or degree of any kind, including high school1.
Housing and health
Access to high-quality, safe, and affordable housing has an important impact on health and wellbeing. Housing affects our health through:
- Physical conditions inside (i.e., presence of lead, allergens)
- Which neighbourhood we live in
- Affordability
In the SWPH region, about one in ten households live in a home that is unsuitable, inadequate or unaffordable. These households cannot afford a suitable alternative due to their income1.
Find support
Visit the following websites to find health services and support in Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas:
Sources and resources
- Measuring Opportunities for Reducing Health Inequities - SWPH, 2019
- Community Vitality: A report of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing - Canadian Council on Social Development, 2010
- The role of sense of community belonging on unmet health care needs in Ontario, Canada: findings from the 2012 Canadian community health survey - Journal of Public Health, 2014
- Connected Communities Healthier Together: 2017 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
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The Belonging Guide: Exploring the Importance of Belonging to Good Health - Community Health and Wellbeing, Alliance for Healthier Communities